County commission reviews 2012 highlights

Thursday

Dec 27, 2012 at 10:00 AM

Terry Katz

St. Joseph County Commission chairman Rick Shaffer had mixed feelings as he presented his list of 2012 highlights to commissioners Dec. 18.There were 31 highlights worth mentioning on his report. Each commissioner received a copy.He began by saying, “I wish to thank this commission. You have been a great group to work with. I hope the community will never lose sight of opportunities. St. Joseph County is a real treasure in the state.”Shaffer’s list of 2012 highlights included:

Approved an agreement with the St. Joseph County Economic Development Corp. which developed a partnership with Southwest Michigan First and Southwest Michigan Partnership, LLC.Approved a resolution authorizing a bond sale for financing the White Pigeon Sanitary System improvement project.Entered into a revised agreement with Michigan State University for additional ag staffing in the Extension office.Designated the drain commissioner as the county enforcing agency for the soil erosion permits.Accepted with regret the resignation of Gerald Loudenslager, District 2 commissioner, and appointed Larry Walton to complete his term which expires Dec. 31.With judges Thomas Shumaker and William Welty retiring at year end, Robert Pattison became the new district court judge and David Tomlinson, probate judge.Accepted with regret the resignation of Judy West-Wing, county administrator, effective Jan. 23.Approved a proposal from 2 Fish Co. to develop a plan to market St. Joseph County in neighboring areas including Chicago.Adopted a resolution in support of reorganizing the South Central Michigan Planning Council for the State of Michigan Planning and Development, Region 3.Approved the Articles of Incorporation for a St. Joseph County Building Authority.Approved the creation of a study committee regarding the Sturgis Senior Center and seeking volunteers from the public for the committee.Approved a three-year $300,000 funding request from the drug unit (funds to come from the tax revolving fund) to fight the countywide drug problem which has reached epidemic proportions.Approved Scott Hopkins to replace Jim Barnes, emergency services coordinator, who retired.Starting Jan. 1 there will only be five county commissioners in St. Joseph County. The apportionment committee reduced the size of the commission in 2010.